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world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989


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Searching for coatings for art on aluminum plates

Hi,

I'm an artist doing a project with aluminum plates that have have an image on them. Essentially, I've taken a plate with a carbon layer and used a laser to etch an image into it (it's a process for offset presses called CTP). The resulting aluminum plate is the final art work that I'm producing. According to the company that makes the plate, the plates have a "hydrophilic layer covering the aluminum" that prevents oxidation.

I would like to put an additional finish on the plate to prevent scratching, discoloration etc. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have researched resins, powder coatings, and off the shelf coatings - what is best?

Thanks in advance!

Howard Pyle
Artist - Brooklyn, New York
2004

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I'm doing an outdoor art installation using 1/8 inch aluminum sheets that are painted with artist acrylic paint. I'm looking for a primer that's suitable with acrylic paint. Can you help?
Thanks,

James Woessner
- Sausalito, California, U.S.
2005